Tipped uterus

The uterus is a pear-shaped hollow organ in which the developing fetus will grow. The uterus is normally in a vertical vertical position; however, some women may have a tipped/tilted uterus, in which it is tipped back towards the back of the pelvis.

What causes a tipped uterus?

This can happen for several reasons, including:

When a woman matures, the uterus may not move forward.
Childbirth can cause the uterus to tilt forward or backward. If the ligaments holding the uterus are stretched or weakened during pregnancy, it can tip over. In most cases, after childbirth, the uterus returns to the extended position.
Scarring due to adhesions due to endometriosis or fibroids can also cause the uterus to move into a tilted or retroflexed state. Sometimes a uterine suspension is used in conjunction with endometriosis treatment to prevent adhesion formation after surgery.

What are the symptoms?

Some women have no symptoms.

However, the main symptoms are:

Pain during intercourse or dyspareunia.
Pain during menstruation or dysmenorrhea.

Other symptoms may include:

Back pain during intercourse
Light incontinence
Urinary tract infections
Fertility problems
Difficulty using tampons

How is it diagnosed?

Your doctor may do a simple physical exam to determine if you have a tipped uterus. This can be done during a routine gynecological examination. If you suspect you have a tipped uterus, talk to your doctor.

What other terms are used to describe a tipped uterus?

There are many alternative terms you should know but they all mean that the uterus is tipped backward toward the back of the pelvis.

Common terms include:

Retroflexed uterus
Tilted uterus
Backward uterus
Retroverted uterus
Tilted womb

Medical professionals may use the following terms:

Uterine retroversion
Uterine retroflexion
Retroversion of the uterus
Symptomatic uterine retroversion
Symptomatic uterine retroflexion
Uterine retro displacement
Reflexion of the uterus

What treatment options are available?

If you have a tipped uterus and are experiencing symptoms, your doctor may recommend surgery to reposition your uterus. The uterine suspension can usually reduce pain that occurs during intercourse and/or menstruation. This operation is used to move it from the rear-facing position to the forward-facing position.

It can also be changed:

"Knee-chest": an exercise that can help to temporarily change the position of the uterus in the opposite direction. However, this exercise will not be effective if the uterus is everted due to endometriosis, fibroids, or pelvic infections.
Pessary: A plastic or silicone device that is placed in the vagina to reposition the tipped uterus. It is generally considered a temporary solution for pelvic pain, as prolonged use can lead to vaginal infections.

Can tipped uterus prevent pregnancy?

Typically, a tipped uterus is considered a cause of infertility only after all other possible causes of fertility problems have been ruled out. Your doctor may recommend uterine suspension if there is no other explanation for your fertility problems. However, this is not common.

How can a tipped uterus affect my pregnancy?

Usually between the 10th and 12th week of pregnancy, your uterus will no longer be tipped or "back". It should not cause difficulties during pregnancy or childbirth. If the uterus does not move to the “middle” position, a miscarriage can occur, but this is very rare.